George building collapse: Investigator says it’s too early to determine what caused ‘disaster’

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says “no stone will be left unturned” in finding what caused the collapse of a private building in George, Western Cape, on Monday afternoon.

Over 110 emergency personnel are currently on site to rescue about 47 trapped construction workers. Rescuers are in contact with 11 people, four in a basement, in the rubble.

As of Tuesday morning, six people had died and 28 had been rescued and taken to hospital.  Ten of the injured are believed to be in serious condition.

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, an investigator told Winde and the media that it was too soon to make a finding on what had caused the building to collapse.

ALSO READ: George building collapse: ‘We heard people shouting through the rubble’

“We can just say that we have been to the site and taken a lot of photographs. It is a major disaster, from a structural point of view. It is much too early to make any comments on what happened. We will endeavour to work as hard and quick as possible to get an answer”.

It is understood around 3 600 square meters of construction collapsed.

Watch video from the scene of the collapse:

Building collapse: ‘We have to find out why this happened’

Addressing the media on Tuesday morning, Winde said engineers and investigators are already on-site to uncover what caused the collapse.

“An investigation is already put in place. We have to make sure that while this is happening, we have specialist engineers on site. We have to find out why this happened and how it happened.

“We have to find out why a building like this collapses and no stone will be left unturned to uncover what caused this accident.”

Watch: Video of the moment the building ‘disappeared’ amid its collapse:

Family of the trapped gather near scene

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the families and friends of the construction workers involved in the incident have been given space to gather in the foyer of the main municipal building.

ALSO READ: George building collapse: Six dead, dozens still trapped under rubble

There they are being assisted by social workers.

The municipal building is opposite the scene of the tragedy and was closed on Monday as a safety precaution.

Roads heading to the building and scene of the collapse have been closed.

Investigation must bring closure and prevent a repeat – Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his condolences to the loved ones of those who died in the collapse and said those looking for answers should be given closure.

“President Ramaphosa wishes rescue teams the best as they go about their operations. He says investigations into the cause of the incident must aim to bring closure to the community and prevent a repeat of this disaster,” his office said.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) also called on the Department of Labour and Employment to launch an independent inquiry into the cause of the collapse and whether there was compliance with construction regulations.

“The investigation must be thorough to hold accountable those responsible for the collapse, ensure that construction workers do not experience such an incident ever again and that construction owners put the safety of the workers before all else,” it said.